I'm looking for leads on Peace Corps' detractors. I'm writing a story on whether the Peace Corps works, and I am looking for people who say it doesn't. I know of some, but would like more. Do you know any RPCVs who hated their experience so much they think PC should end? What about local congressmen who find it a waste of money? Heard any pundits or talking-heads berate it recently?

Personally I do not see the point of having the peace corps. I think that it is arrogant of people in this country to impose american culture onto another country. These cultures have lived for thousands of years and they will continue to live and function without the aid of peace corps volunteers. At the moment, my girlfriend is over in Africa for 27months. Every hour of every day, she is in constant danger. Whether it be from a virus or rape, I do not know. She is without power or phone lines, so anything can happen to her and I would not know about it for weeks or months. She has a wonderful personality and she really wants to help others, but she is really only hurting her friends, family, and me through worrying about her safety. I really think she'd better serve her time by volunteering in a local charity near her home then by spending 27months in Africa.

The Peace Corps only enters a country by invitation from the country's government for specific reasons. It is not imposed American culture. Read the 3 main goals of the Peace Corps before you judge it as arrogant. The fact that you are concerned for your girlfriend's welfare is admirable, but you must realize that she is there living among people who are in danger of the same things you are concerned about daily. Furthermore, she is there to improve the daily life of those people so that those very issues are no longer a problem.

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